Bath architects collaborate for milestone green city development
Bath-based architectural design firms FCBStudios and Grant Associates are collaborating as part of an international design team to develop a ‘first of its kind’ sustainable development in Africa.
Pilot phase master planning is underway for Green City Kigali, a new development in Rwanda aimed at low- and middle-income residents.
Green City Kigali is set to be a sustainable and affordable scheme that will integrate green building and design, efficient and renewable energy, recycling and inclusive living as well as homegrown solutions and local construction materials.
As a result, residents in Kinyinya will enjoy the social and economic benefits of urbanisation while limiting their ecological footprints. The 600-hectare city extension is expected to serve as a model for sustainable urban development that can be replicated across Rwanda and the wider region. The project is being developed by the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) with financial support from the German Development Cooperation through KfW Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Green City Kigali is an important milestone on the road to creating more sustainable green cities in the region and worldwide.
The project, being led by Bath-based masterplanners FCBStudios in collaboration with a dedicated team of creative partners including internationally-renowned landscape architecture practice Grant Associates, will be grounded in three integrated and indivisible pillars: sustainable urban development for social inclusion and reducing poverty; sustainable and inclusive urban prosperity and opportunities for all; and environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development.
Green City Kigali will integrate these three dimensions of sustainable development by combining a green and climate change-resilient urban model and infrastructures with affordable housing solutions.
Peter Clegg, Senior Partner at FCBStudios, said, “Green City Kigali is one of those rare projects where we not only have the opportunity to create robust, resilient beautiful landscapes which are unique of their place, but whose fundamental aim is to safeguard landscape as an asset for the people whose lives and jobs rely on what their environment can provide.”
Yasmin Alzadjally, Associate Landscape Architect, Grant Associates, said, “FCBStudios’ masterplanning study starts with the development of a prototype neighbourhood community, to house around 10,000 people occupying the western slope of Kinyinya Hill. It will be based around a 400-500 meter walking distance to a neighbourhood centre located at the heart of the community. An arterial horizontal road passes through the neighbourhood, making connections to neighbouring communities and providing a focus for commercial development.”
The project is a collaboration between FCBStudios and regional architects Light Earth Designs, A Studio Space and Studio FH Architects and with multidisciplinary Rwanda based consultants FBW and Turner and Townsend as cost consultants; the international team includes Grant Associates, AKTII and Atelier Ten.
Pictured above: A masterplan aerial view of the Green City Kigali development
